Be Nice Until It’s Time to Not Be Nice [Special Screenings, July 25-Aug. 1]

Road House. Photo courtesy Silver Pictures

Kerry Tribe: Double. The artist’s single-channel video work has five women who nominally resemble one another reflecting on subjects ranging from their impressions of Los Angeles to their participation in this project. Grand Central Art Center, 125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana; www.grandcentralartcenter.com. Open Tues.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Through Sept. 22. Free. 

The Muppet Movie. It’s a 40th-anniversary screening of the first full-length movie from the puppet franchise. After a fateful meeting with a big-time talent agent in a Southern swamp, Kermit T. Frog heads for Hollywood to be a star. Along the way, he is joined by fellow dreamers Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and Gonzo the Great. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Thurs., July 25 & Tues., 12:30 & 7 p.m. $12.50.

Black Swan. Frida’s monthlong Darren Aronofsky retrospective concludes with another of his polarizing films. Natalie Portman plays a ballerina who is pushed into exploring her dark side to the point of recklessness after entering a twisted friendship with a rival new dancer (Mila Kunis). The Frida Cinema, 305 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana; thefridacinema.org. Thurs.-Fri., July 25-26, 2:30, 5:30 & 8 p.m. $7-$10.50.

The Secret of Holy Fire: The Sacred Fire Temple at Takht-e Soleyman. Center for Persian Studies and Culture presents Ali Shahriaripour’s documentary examining a historically significant northwestern Iran area. Included there is the only known hollow hill in the world, a small lake whose bottom has never been reached by man and the most sacred fire temple on the planet. An audience Q&A with Shahriaripour and a reception follow. UC Irvine, McCormick Screening Room, Humanities Gateway 1070, Irvine, (949) 824-6117. Thurs., July 25, 6 p.m. Free.

YASSS! Films based on young-adult novels screen. Fullerton Public Library, 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, (714) 738-6327. Thurs. & Thurs., July 25 & Aug. 1, 6 p.m. Free. 

The Black Pirate. See the swashbuckling 1926 silent classic with the musical score performed live by the Jack Curtis Dubowsky Ensemble. Douglas Fairbanks plays an aristocrat in disguise as an infamous pirate who fights, pillages and romances. Art Theatre, 2025 E. Fourth St., Long Beach, (562) 438-5435; arttheatrelongbeach.org. Thurs., July 25, 7 p.m. $15; also at the Frida Cinema, 305 E. Fourth St., Santa Ana; thefridacinema.org. Sun., 3 & 7 p.m. $15. 

The Lost World: Jurassic Park. Nostalgic Nebula presents a one-night-only event that begins with a live string quartet performing a tribute to John Williams’ score for the 1997 Steven Spielberg flick. John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) sends a team (that includes Jeff Goldblum and Julianne Moore) back to Isla Sorna to document the freely roaming prehistoric animals to ensure their survival. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., July 25, 7:30 p.m. $15.

The Exhibition Room Silent Film Series. The speakeasy, which one enters with a password and through a phone booth, and Long Beach Heritage Museum continue their semi-regular screenings of silent films. The slate reveals the theme: The Patsy with Marion Davies; Suds and Through the Back Door with Mary Pickford; A Woman of Affairs with Greta Garbo; and Suspense from director Lois Weber. The Exhibition Room—Long Beach Craft Cocktails, 1117 E. Wardlow Rd., Long Beach, (562) 826-2940; www.theexhibitionroom.com. Thurs., July 25, 8 p.m. $20. 21+.

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. Mike Mitchell’s recent animated movie takes place five years after everything was awesome. Now, Lego Duplo space invaders are wrecking everything. Cedar Grove Park, 11385 Pioneer Rd., Tustin, (714) 573-3326. Thurs., July 25, 8 p.m. Free.

David Crosby: Remember My Name. A.J. Eaton’s new documentary has the singer/songwriter reflecting on his 77 years in what’s been described as a deeply personal way. Directors Cut Cinema at Regency Rancho Niguel, 25471 Rancho Niguel Rd., Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-0446; also at South Coast Village, 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 557-5701. Opens Fri. Call theaters for show times and ticket prices.

House With a Clock In Its Walls. Photo courtesy Universal Pictures

House With a Clock In Its Walls. Eli Roth’s 2018 horror comedy is about a young orphan (Owen Vaccaro) who helps his magical uncle (Jack Black) locate a clock that can bring about the end of the world. Rancho Santa Margarita Library, 30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 549-6094. Fri., 2 p.m. Free.

Assassinaut. Drew Bolduc’s (Science Team) new film is set in the not-so-distant future, when aliens have invaded Earth and declared a galactic war. Four teenage astronauts are sent to a distant planet to rescue Earth’s president. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri.-Sat., 2:30 & 11:30 p.m.; Mon.-Thurs., Aug. 1, 2:30 & 10 p.m. $7-$10.50.

The Queen. Before Paris Is Burning and RuPaul’s Drag Race, there was Frank Simon’s 1968 documentary, which introduced audiences to the world of competitive drag. See contestants rehearse, throw shade and transform into their drag personas before being judged by a panel that included Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgwick and Mario Montez. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri., 5:30 & 7:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 7:30 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Incredibles 2. It’s the animated 2018 smash hit from Disney-Pixar and director Brad Bird. Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible (voiced by Craig T. Nelson) takes care of the kids while his wife, Helen/Elastigirl (Holly Hunter), is out saving the world. Mason Regional Park, 18712 University Dr., Irvine, (949) 923-2220. Fri., 6 p.m. Free; also at Los Alamitos Unified School District Office, 10293 Bloomfield St., Los Alamitos, (562) 430-1073. Sat., 6:30 p.m. Free; Lake Park, Lake Street between 11th and 12th streets, Huntington Beach, (714) 536-5486. Sat., 8 p.m. Free.

Gojira (Godzilla). Ishiro Honda’s 1954 original is presented in Japanese with English subtitles. In a country still reeling from a nuclear attack and H-bomb testing in the Pacific, a rampaging radioactive beast embodies an entire population’s fears (and spawns about 30 sequels). The Source OC, 6988 Beach Blvd., Buena Park; thesourceoc.com. Fri., 7:30 p.m. Free.

Star Wars. Disney Summer Movies presents what is known with that title by people my age but adds Episode IV: A New Hope for later generations of nerds. Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) work together to pry Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) away from the clutches of the Imperial Forces and their dark leader, Darth Vader (David Prowse). Eucalyptus Park, 100 N. Quintana Dr., Anaheim; publicaffairs.disneyland.com/community/celebratesummer/. Fri., 7:45 p.m. Free.

Mary Poppins Returns. Photo courtesy Disney

Mary Poppins Returns. Rob Marshall’s 2018 reboot of the Disney classic has the magical nanny (Emily Blunt) returning to help the grown Banks siblings and Michael’s children through tough times. Arovista Park, 500 W. Imperial Hwy., Brea, (714) 990-7103. Fri., 8 p.m. Free.

Ralph Breaks the Internet. Phil Johnston and Rich Moore’s 2018 animated comedy picks up six years after Wreck-It Ralph, when now-friends Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) discover a wi-fi router leads to adventure. Lions Park, 570 W. 18th St., Costa Mesa, (949) 650-1259. Fri., 8 p.m. Free; also at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina, near Moe B’s Watersports, 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach, (949) 729-3863. Sat., dusk. Free, but there is a fee to park.

Wreck It Ralph. Dude, it’s like you’re locked inside a video game . . . with Sarah Silverman. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, (949) 729-3863. Fri., dusk. Free, but there is a fee to park. 

The Crow. It’s a 25th-anniversary screening of Alex Proyas’ action-fantasy about A rock musician (Brandon Lee) is awakened from his grave one year after he and his fiancée were brutally killed. Now, he’s out for revenge so he and his beloved can achieve eternal peace. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Fri.-Sat., 10 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché. Jodie Foster narrates Pamela B. Green’s 2018 documentary about the pioneer filmmaker, which is both a tribute and a detective story. Green and producer Dino Everett participate in a post-screening audience Q&A. Art Theatre; arttheatrelongbeach.org. Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m. $9-$12.

Midnight Cowboy. Frida’s “Summer of ’69” series includes John Schlesinger’s classic drama that captures the gritty and crumbling New York City of that era. Wide-eyed Texas hustler Joe Buck (Jon Voight) and sickly swindler Enrico “Ratzo” Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman) form an unlikely friendship that has them . . . HEY, I’M WALKING HERE! The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sat., 2 & 5 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Road House. The Bombs Away Show podcast presents a 30th-anniversary screening of Rowdy Herrington’s action-thriller about a nightclub bouncer (Patrick Swayze) hired to tame a dirty bar. The show’s hosts then join the audience in a live dissection of what they just saw. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sat., 7 p.m. $15.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The pioneering midnight movie starts with the car of sweethearts Brad and Janet (Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon) breaking down near the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). The transvestite scientist’s home also hosts a rocking biker (Meat Loaf), a creepy butler (Richard O’Brien) and assorted freaks, including a hunk of beefcake named “Rocky.” Live shadow-cast troupe Midnight Insanity performs. Art Theatre; www.arttheatrelongbeach.org. Sat., 11:55 p.m. $9-$12.

The Sower. Photo courtesy Les Films du Worso

The Sower. The French film from this year is set in 1851, when all the men in a remote farming village have been arrested, and all the women who are left must take an oath to share as a lover any new man who comes along. Dana Point Public Library, 33841 Niguel Rd, Dana Point, (949) 496-5517. Sun., 2 p.m. Free.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Frida’s “Summer of ’69” series continues with another classic: George Roy Hill’s bio-drama about Wyoming train robbers (Paul Newman and Robert Redford) who can’t shake the posse after them, even in escaping to Bolivia. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Sun., 2:30 & 5 p.m.; Mon.-Tues., 2:30, 5:30 & 8 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Kiki’s Delivery Service. Studio Ghibli Fest 2019 continues with a 30th-anniversary screening of anime master Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved coming-of-age story about A resourceful young witch who uses her broom to create a delivery service, only to lose her gift of flight in a moment of self-doubt. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Sun., 12:55 p.m. (dubbed in English); Mon., 7 p.m. (English subtitles); Wed., 7 p.m. (dubbed). $12.50.

Tegzas 2 (Texas 2). The new Persian comedy has the tagline “Never threaten an Iranian, especially in Tehran.” Roger that. Mehdi Hashemi, Omid Roohani, Nader Soleymani and Pejman Jamshidi star. Starlight Cinema City, 5635 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, (714) 970-6700. Sun., 8 p.m. $6-$12.

Tangled. Animated Disney flick from 2010 has bandit Flynn Rider (voiced by Zachary Levi) hiding from the kingdom in a tower. Rapunzel (Mandy Moore), the tower’s longtime resident, takes Flynn captive, but because she wants the heck out, they hatch a plan. San Clemente Public Library, 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, (949) 492-3493. Mon., 10:30 a.m. Free.

Avengers: Infinity War. Marvelous Monday Movie Night, which is geared toward teens, presents the recent Marvel flick in which the Avengers—Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), et. al—sacrifice everything to try to stop the powerful Thanos (Josh Brolin) from snuffing out the universe. Dana Point Public Library, (949) 496-5517. Mon., 4 p.m. Free. 13+.

Perfect Blue. The 1997 psychological horror anime from Satoshi Kon (Paprika) is about a singer who quits her band to become an actress and shed her good-girl image. However, her fans aren’t ready to see her go, and after she takes on a recurring role on a popular TV show, her handlers and collaborators begin turning up dead. In Japanese with English subtitles. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Mon.-Wed., 4:30, 6:30 & 8:15 p.m.; Wed., 2:30 & 10:30 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch. In Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosier’s 2018 animated family comedy, the grumpy Grinch (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) plots to ruin Whoville’s Christmas. Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Laguna Niguel at Ocean Ranch Village, 32401 Golden Lantern St., Laguna Niguel, (949) 373-7900; Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Rancho Santa Margarita at Santa Margarita Town Center, 30632 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 835-1888. Tues. & Thurs., July 30 & Aug. 1, 10 a.m. $6 (includes movie and snack pack with popcorn, fruit gummies and a small drink). 

Sing. It’s a 3D-animated musical about a hustling theater impresario’s attempt to save his theater with a singing competition. Humans voicing the animal characters include Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon and Seth MacFarlane. Various Regal/Edwards theaters; regmovies.com. Tues., 10 a.m. $1.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Film Club for Adults presents Blake Edwards’ 1961 rom-com that influenced movies, fashion and society. Audrey Hepburn plays a New York party girl who is stopped in her tracks by love. Costa Mesa/Donald Dugan Library, 1855 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, (949) 646-8845. Tues., 4 p.m. Free.

Raiders of the Lost Ark. The Spielberg/Lucas popcorn franchise kicked off with this 1981 action-adventurer in which archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is hired by the U.S. government to beat the Nazis to the Ark of the Covenant. Directors Cut Cinema at Regency Rancho Niguel, (949) 831-0446. Tues., 7:30 p.m. $8.

How to Train Your Dragon 2. Dean DeBlois’ 2014 animated adventure, which is based on Cressida Cowell’s book series, has Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) and Toothless (Randy Thom) finding an ice cave that is home to hundreds of wild dragons—and themselves in the center of a battle. Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler and Jonah Hill lead a star-studded cast of voice actors. Various Regal/Edwards theaters; regmovies.com. Wed., 10 a.m. $1.

The Wizard of Oz. In Victor Fleming’s 1939 family classic, Dorothy (Judy Garland); her dog, Toto (Terry); and her new friends the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), the Tin Man (Jack Haley) and the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr) follow the Yellow Brick Road to Emerald City in hopes the Great and Powerful Oz (Frank Morgan) can return the young lady and her little yapper home to Kansas. Props are provided and cosplay, singing and dancing are encouraged at all-ages Interactive Movie Days. Mary Wilson Library, 707 Electric Ave., Seal Beach, (562) 431-3584. Wed., 1 p.m. Free.

Kathy Griffin: A Hell of a Story. Photo courtesy Fathom Events

Kathy Griffin: A Hell of a Story. Troy Miller’s new documentary, which Kathy Griffin produced, is about her overcoming the shitstorm that erupted after she was photographed holding a severed head of Donald Trump that was obviously fake (or was it?). A live Q&A with Griffin follows. Various theaters; www.fathomevents.com. Wed., 7 p.m. $15.

The Princess Bride. Project MotiVATe presents Rob Reiner’s excellent adventure movie from 1987. Swashbuckler Westley (Cary Elwes) tries to save his childhood sweetheart Buttercup (Robin Wright) from marrying a royal douchebag. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Wed., 7 p.m. $12.

Pulp Fiction. Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 masterpiece interweaves the stories of two hit men (John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson), their boss (Ving Rhames), his actress wife (Uma Thurman), a palooka (Bruce Willis), an armed-robber couple (Tim Roth and Amanda Plummer) and a master fixer (Harvey Keitel). South Coast Village, (714) 557-5701. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $9.

Casablanca. Michael Curtiz’s 1942 masterpiece has an American expatriate (Humphrey Bogart) falling to pieces when the lover (Ingrid Bergman) who ghosted him walks into his Morocco gin joint at the beginning of World War II. Fullerton Public Library, (714) 738.6327. Thurs., Aug. 1, 1 p.m. Free.

The Godfather. Frida’s Francis Ford Coppola retrospective includes his 1972 crime-family drama, which is considered one of the best movies of all time. It is based on screenwriting partner Mario Puzo’s novel about the transition of power between Mafioso Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) and his youngest son, Michael (Al Pacino). The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., Aug. 1, 1, 4:30 & 8 p.m. $7-$10.50.

The Princess and the Frog. John Musker and Ron Clements 2009 animated Disney princess picture is about a waitress who is desperate to fulfill her dreams as a restaurant owner and is set on a journey to turn a frog prince back into a human being. Costa Mesa/Donald Dugan Library, (949) 646-8845. Thurs., Aug. 1, 3:30 p.m. Free.

Grateful Dead: Meet-Up at the Movies-Giants Stadium. The ninth-annual screening event unveils the previously unreleased complete June 17, 1991, concert from Giants Stadium in New York. The Frida Cinema; thefridacinema.org. Thurs., Aug. 1, 7:30 p.m. $7-$10.50.

Wonder. Stephen Chbosky’s 2017 family dramedy is about a boy with facial differences (Jacob Tremblay) entering fifth grade—and a mainstream elementary school—for the first time. Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson play his supportive parents. Camino Real Park, 13602 Parkcenter Lane, Tustin, (714) 573-3326. Thurs., Aug. 1, dusk. Free.

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